Building permits in Portland, ME
Permits for Portland are issued by City of Portland (ME), Permitting & Inspections Department. Applications go through the portal below.
Checked against the department's own page on 6 Sep 2026
Where to file
- Department
- City of Portland (ME), Permitting & Inspections Department
- Phone
- 207-874-8703
- Portal
- www.portlandmaine.gov/524/Online-Permit-Services
Citizen Self Service (CSS). 389 Congress St, Room 315. permitting@portlandmaine.gov.
What each job needs in Portland
Typical requirements and fee ranges. Fees scale with project valuation, so treat these as a starting point and confirm the number with City of Portland (ME) before you quote.
| Project | Permits | Typical fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Remodel | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Addition | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| New Construction | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Site / Grading | $500–3,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
| Electrical | Electrical | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Plumbing | Plumbing | $50–200 | 3–5 business days |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Mechanical (HVAC) | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Roofing | Roofing | $100–400 | 1–5 business days |
| Deck / Fence | Building | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Demolition | Demolition | $50–400 | 5–10 business days |
| Commercial Build-Out | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Fire / Life-Safety Review | $300–2,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
Licensing in Maine
No statewide general-contractor license — GCs and most trades are not state-licensed (local licensing only); state law only requires a written contract for residential jobs over $3,000.
Issued by No statewide GC license (local licensing); Maine Attorney General — Consumer Protection Division · Verify a licence
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Department, portal and phone checked against the official page on 6 Sep 2026. Fee ranges and turnaround times are typical for this kind of work and are not quotes. Requirements change, so confirm with the department before you file. SQM.AI is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice.